LIGHT IS BASIC PROJECT – Initiative of YAWI in Kenya & South Sudan

YOUNG AFRICA WOMEN INITIATIVE

YOUNG AFRICA WOMEN INITIATIVE (YAWI) provides women survivors of war, civil strife, Gender based violence and young women in distress with tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies changing Africa woman one at a time.

Light is basic is an initiative of YAWI. The project is to provide rural women in Kenya and South Sudan with solar lanterns to light their homes. Most of the women in rural areas have no access to electricity and they have no hope of getting electricity in the near future.

They use various sources of light but most of them are expensive, hazardous and environmentally unfriendly. Solar lantern is cheap to maintain, it is initial cost is reasonable and affordable to many. YAWI seeks to provide clean, renewable and free sources of energy as well as devices to increase their standards of living. Fossil fuels are currently the primary source of energy in most underdeveloped countries. Only about 25% of the country of KENYA is electrified and about 10% of Sudan.

The program targets 10,000 women beneficiaries both in Kenya and South Sudan.

Light is basic project will overcome many challenges in a woman’s life.

The advantages of solar lantern are:

Improves Health issues
Fumes from kerosene lamps in poorly ventilated houses are a serious health problem in much of the world where electric light is unavailable.

Respiratory Problems
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), people who regularly use kerosene heaters do have more respiratory diseases than the general population.

Improves Fire-Reduction
Kerosene lamps are a serious fire hazard in the developing world, killing and maiming tens of thousands of people each year.

Improves Literacy rate
Solar light improves literacy, because people can read after dark more easily than they can by candle or lamp light. School work improves and eye sight is safeguarded when children study by solar powered light.

Saves Energy
Solar electricity for the Third World is clearly the most effective energy conservation program because it conserves costly conventional power for urban areas.

Extends the Working day in rural areas
On average it is dark by 6:30 year round. Solar Lighting allows rural families to extend their workday into the evening hours. Many villages where solar lights are installed see an increase in their economic activity levels. Installing Solar lights in villages allows businesses to operate during the evening. Solar electricity helps promote local enterprises as small shops and village markets can use the systems to provide lighting to operate during the evening.

Reduces Maintenance
Use of a solar light rather than gensets or kerosene lamps reduces the time and expense of refueling and maintenance. Kerosene lamps and diesel generators must be filled several times per day. In rural areas, purchasing and transporting of kerosene or diesel fuel is often both difficult and expensive.

Reduces local air pollution
Use of solar electric systems decreases the amount of local air pollution.

Offsets greenhouse gases
Photovoltaic systems produce electric power with no carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Carbon emission offset is calculated at approximately 6 tons of CO2 over the twenty-year life of one PV system.

We are looking for sponsors, volunteers and partners to make this come true.

To get involved with LIGHT IS BASIC PROJECT can send us an email on [email protected]. to know more about YAWI visit our website www.yawi.org

You are all welcome to support the project,
Fidelis, YAWI
Young Africa Women Initiative
P.O Box 16326 – 20100 Nakuru, Kenya
Thakar’s Building, Pandit Nehru Road. First Floor, Room #3
email:[email protected]